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Lehner on time with Senators: 'Something between me and Paul (MacLean)...didn't click'

Jerome Miron / USA TODAY Sports

Robin Lehner will get a shot in his new surroundings.

The 23-year-old netminder, who appeared in 86 games - 76 of which were starts - in his time with the Ottawa Senators, was traded to the Buffalo Sabres on Friday and is projected to be the team's new starter; a role he felt like he was kept from fully achieving in Ottawa thanks to former coach Paul MacLean.

"But I think there was something between me and Paul (MacLean) that didn't click when he was there," Lehner told Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. "He came from a veteran team in Detroit where it takes a long time for the young guys to break through I think. It was nothing personal between us I don't think. It just seemed like when I'd start getting hot I didn't get the chance to play and that happened on several occasions."

Lehner spent most of his career with the Senators in the shadow of Craig Anderson and became expendable with the rise of Andrew Hammond and the signing of Boston College product Matt O'Connor.

Although Lehner enjoyed his time in Ottawa, he was confused about how things worked in regards to his playing time under MacLean.

"They gave me a lot of things and I can't talk good enough about them. They brought me in when I was young. They gave me all the tools. They helped me become a professional and a man. They helped me with so many different things I can't thank them enough," explained the netminder.

"I don't know what happened but I wasn't happy with the way things played out. I think I came out of the gate good every season, I'd play good and then I didn't get to play anymore. That's something I've got to work on going forward. People have different opinions. I can only speak for myself, but that's my opinion."

MacLean was fired as head coach of the Senators in December 2014 and is reportedly on the verge of becoming an assistant with the Anaheim Ducks.

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